People will endlessly debate the result of the NBA Finals until the next champion is crowned.

Did the Miami Heat choke or did the Dallas Mavericks strangle them? That question will be among many insightful topics thrown around when thinking about Dirk Nowtizki finally getting his championship. It took Nowitzki five years to find his way back to the NBA Finals, five years longer than anyone expected after the Mavericks went up 2-0 in the 2006 NBA Finals.

That’s the funny thing about sports; nothing is promised.

Injuries can change a team’s fortune. The Celtics may have a few more titles if Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins were able to stay healthy. What about the Blazers? Who knows how good they would be if Brandon Roy and Greg Oden were healthy.

Talent is acquired and teams improve. Over the last few years each of the teams that have hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy have enjoyed the addition of balance-changing players.

There are a multitude of factors that change by the minute that make the road to the title harder than anticipated.

With that said, here’s an interesting question: Will Miami's collection of talent ever realize the dream of a championship?

Most assume they’re too talented not to get at least one title. How can a team with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh not win one sometime in the next few seasons?

We also all thought the same thing about the Shaquille O’Neal led Orlando Magic. There wasn’t a better tandem than O’Neal and Penny Hardaway; their supporting cast seemed to be plenty good enough. Orlando made just one trip to the Finals and painfully watched O’Neal resurrect the Lakers’ championship culture.

Who knows if the Minnesota Timberwolves would have won a title if Garnett and Stephon Marbury stayed together? Most people believe they would have won at least one.

How about the 1994 Seattle Sonics? Nobody expected them to lose to Denver in the first round; the title was arguably theirs to lose. That’s exactly what they did, lose it. They would eventually reach the Finals, but Michael Jordan had returned to reclaim his place at the top of the basketball world.

The Sacramento Kings surely would have a championship if Chris Webber hadn’t blown out his knee in the 2003 playoffs.

You really never know what’s going to happen to negate talent and decrease opportunity.

The Heat, however, have much bigger issues to deal with, the unknown is something to think about, the reality is scary. Teams will get better making the road to the championship muddy.

The Celtics and Lakers will both benefit from early exits. They’ll be fresher, focused and ready for title runs next season.

The Knicks are much improved and match-up well with Miami's trio of All-Stars. 

The Mavericks waited five years for their championship moment and should be every bit as good next season. The Thunder also appear poised to take another step forward after reaching the Western Conference Finals.

The Orlando Magic will also be a factor. They have to make a splash to keep from losing the best big man of his era for the second time in less than two decades. Though their options are limited, the presence of Dwight Howard puts them a piece or two away from a championship.

Also the idea of Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Howard finding All-Star caliber co-stars makes future top-heavy teams a certainty.

With all of those hurdles, the Heat could very well come together and be the great team that most people expect to dominate the league. But there’s much work to do before any parade down Biscayne; several things need to change in Miami before a championship is won.

James, Wade and Bosh are all going into their ninth season. They’re not old, so to speak, but you don’t get quicker, fresher or immune to mileage as the years in the league pile up.

It may be especially true for James. He may be only 26, but eight NBA seasons, a few deep playoff runs, and three appearances for Team USA will wear anyone out. The same arguments can be made for Wade and Bosh – minus the playoff runs – who have both dealt with injuries along with the mileage.

I have no doubt those guys will be busy doing the work necessary to give themselves a chance, but so will everyone else, which makes me question if they’re next in line.